TIMES INT'L

Guyana’s private sector urges GECOM to be fully prepared for elections

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

While still on extended sick leave, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson has responded to a correspondence from the Government and Opposition Chief Whips requesting a meeting to discuss the Commission’s readiness for the pending General and Regional Elections. Government Chief Whip Amna Ally and Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira were identified during a high-level meeting last week between Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and President David Granger to meet with the elections body to determine its readiness for the upcoming polls. Since then, the Chief Whips have…

Thousands of New Yorkers feeling effects of Gov’t shutdown

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

…millions more stand to lose essential federal assistance if shutdown continues Thousands of New Yorkers have felt the real effects of the longest federal government shutdown in history as it enters its 27th day. According to a release from the New York Mayor’s office, the week of January 7th was the first week federal government employees that are furloughed did not receive a paycheck. The Mayor’s office said that there are 18,000 federal employees that work at affected agencies in New York City and an unknown number of low-wage federal…

New…

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

…parties in Guyana One of the founders of ANUG – A New and United Guyana – (to be launched this week) commented in his blog which is reprinted by the Stabber News and then regularly reprinted as a news item (talk about publicity!!): “Political parties are mushrooming, as is the custom when elections are close.” Since we’ve tried and failed to grow “real mushrooms”, maybe it might be more appropriate to say, “political parties are sprouting like ‘jumbie umbrellas’”!! Our colloquial reference would convey not only the accelerated growth cycle…

Addressing the ethnic imbalance in the GPF

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Addressing participants at the opening of Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference under the theme, “Security Sector Reform Implementation – Enhancing Capacity Through Training, Infrastructure and Human Resource Management,” President David Granger emphasised his commitment to security sector reform. “Security sector reform is aimed at improving public trust and confidence, developing stronger organisations, boosting the Force’s intelligence, responsive and investigative capabilities and producing a more versatile Police Officer. Security sector reforms, therefore, must be accelerated to strengthen this vital institution in 2019.” Police Commissioner Leslie James in brief remarks reminded the…

After dropping out of school in form 2, Kamalita Heralall turns her life around

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

By Lakhram Bhagirat Sometimes life throws unexpected challenges our way and to deal with those challenges it requires tremendous strength and willpower. No one knows more the amount of strength it takes to completely turn your life around than 22-year-old Kamalita Heralall. You see Kamalita’s situation is not quite uncommon but the way she handled it is nothing short of inspiring. She hails from the community of Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara and sitting the Common Entrance Examinations she gained a place at the Charlestown Secondary School. However,…

GUYANA CELEBRATES 166 YEARS OF CHINESE ARRIVAL

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

…as China commits to strengthen bilateral relations Guyana celebrated Chinese Arrival Day on Saturday, commemorating 166 years since the arrival of Chinese to these shores. To commemorate this event a ceremony was held at the Windsor Forest Primary School on the West Coast of Demerara. Windsor Forest was the first Chinese settlement in Guyana. Delivering brief remarks, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo underscored the importance of the contribution of the Chinese towards national development. During his brief remarks Ambassador Jianchun said, “social cohesion, unity is really important for us to transform…

Hidden gem of the Essequibo

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

The Essequibo River is the largest river in Guyana, and the largest river between the Orinoco and Amazon. Rising in the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil-Guyana border, the Essequibo flows to the north for 1,014 kilometres (630 mi) through forest and savanna into the Atlantic Ocean. With a total drainage basin of 69,300 sq.km (26,757sq.mi) with average discharge of 74,303 cu ft/s (2,104 m3/s). The river runs through the Guianan moist forests ecoregion. There are many rapids and waterfalls (e. g., Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River) along the route…

Dual…

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

…citizens and politics Even though the requirement that MPs can’t be dual citizens (that is, have pledged “allegiance” to another nation) was introduced into the 1980 Constitution which was crafted for Burnham, no one – least of all the politicians – paid any heed to it. After all, Guyanese politicians had routinely spent time abroad to “qualify” themselves in the profession and many might’ve very well gotten citizenship with their “farrin” wives. “Doctor politics” and all that! And then, of course, Burnham had originally rigged himself into office through “overseas”…

Poor governance by the APNU/AFC Coalition over the past 3 years

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, In reading Bishop Edghill’s letter pertaining to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion project I was struck by the sentence “This interconnected group of projects was totally misunderstood and incompetently handled by the APNU/AFC Administration when they came to office in May 2015.” It sums up the 3.6 years of poor governance by the APNU+AFC Administration. While Edghill asks the question of completion dates, I beg to ask of APNU+AFC’s conception dates, that is to say, what new ideas or projects have come forth from the Granger Cabinet…

MY WORK MIRROS MY JOURNEY & CULTURE, SAY NIGEL BUTLER

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 TIMES INT'L

By Lakhram Bhagirat They say that art is more than what we see on the surface. It is about who we are, what happened to us, and how it has influenced our lives and for Nigel Butler, that is exactly the course his heart takes. He does not confine himself to just one style of painting, rather he is very versed in everything he does. Nigel is a man of very few words, but his creations are what speak for him. The 24-year-old hails from Surama Village in the Northern…